China’s air force on Wednesday put into service a new, domestically-developed large transport aircraft, as part of the government’s ambitious modernization program.

The Xian Y-20 has a maximum takeoff weight of 200 tons and is ideal for carrying cargo and people over long distances in difficult weather conditions, the air force said in a short statement on its official microblog.

“The Y-20 entering service marks a crucial step for the air force in improving its strategic power projection capability,” air force spokesman Shen Jinke said in the statement.